Report by Jon Green

Rovers travelled to Saltash on Saturday afternoon for an important top end of the table clash. A full blooded game that ended in a draw.

The hosts set out the busier of the two teams with Rovers rather slow out of the blocks. The first ten minutes saw Saltash twice test James Smallcombe in the Rovers goal. The first was a comfortable stop but the second was a brilliant instinctive save from a close range effort.

Rovers slowly worked into the game but it still took until the 17th minute to get their first good chance. Dan McBeam danced around a couple of challengers before lashing a shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar.

It was then the turn of the Saltash keeper, Tyler Coombes, to pull off good saves. Firstly in the 21st minute when Kitan Jaiyeoba got clear in the box and hit a rocket of a shot that Coombes got a strong hand to, to push the ball around the post. This was quickly followed by an effort from outside the box by Dylan Gould. His looping effort looked destined to go under the bar but was just tipped over by the retreating keeper.

Rovers went close again in the 34th minute when Kailan Gould did well on the touchline to keep the ball in and square it to Jaiyeoba who knocked the ball over from close range.

So it was somewhat against the current run of play that Saltash went ahead. A well worked move ended with a cross from the left that was turned in from close range by Jack Jefford.

Rovers had a lot to do in the second half but again came out slowly. Saltash had Rovers on the back foot from the off and a header in the opening seconds smashed off the crossbar.

In the 57th minute they were again unlucky not to double the lead as they again hit the crossbar.

Rovers began to work their way into the game again though and the introduction of Joel Smedley and Elliot Haffenden paid off immediately with both players involved in the equaliser in the 64th minute.

Haffenden did well on the right hanging up a perfect cross from the right and Jaiyeoba found himself clear to head the ball home.

There followed a long period of pressure from Rovers as they forced a number of corners. The Saltash defence managed to stay tight though and Rovers found it tough to create that one clear cut chances they needed.

Saltash also looked dangerous on the break and managed to create chances themselves but also not really testing Smallcombe too much.

It had been a full on game that was entertaining for the supporters and on balance, a fair result with both teams claiming they could have won it.

Next up:
Torpoint Athletic (H), Saturday 6th December, 3pm